Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Carmarthenshire?
471 vehicles in 2026 against 473 in 2024: taxis 298 → 306, private hire 175 → 165; 2.47 per 1,000 residents; 9% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 298 | 306 | up 3% |
| Private hire vehicles | 175 | 165 | down 6% |
| Driver licences | 515 | 508 | down 1% |
| Operator licences | 31 | 29 | down 6% |
How does Carmarthenshire compare with other councils in Wales?
Among councils in Wales, Carmarthenshire ranks 13th of 22 for vehicles per head (2.47 per 1,000, median 2.78). It ranks 12th for operators (29, median 32).[1]
| Measure | Carmarthenshire | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 2.47 | 2.78 | 13th of 22 |
| Operator licences | 29 | 32 | 12th of 22 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 6 | 5 | 7th of 22 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 9% | 8% | 10th of 22 |
What does the Carmarthenshire market look like for an operator?
Carmarthenshire's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 65% taxis, 35% private hire of 471 vehicles: rank and street hails matter.
- 6 PHVs per operator on average (165 across 29 licences).
- 1.1 drivers per vehicle (508 for 471).
- 100% dual-licensed drivers.
- Majority further from a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Carmarthenshire differ from other councils?
5 departures from the usual rules in Carmarthenshire's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face an age limit.[1]
- Two tests for Carmarthenshire taxi drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 5 councils.
- Two tests for Carmarthenshire private hire drivers, local knowledge and navigation, as in about 1 in 6 councils.
- Carmarthenshire operators' call-takers and dispatchers need no DBS check; about 2 in 3 councils require one.
- No convictions policy required of Carmarthenshire operators for their staff; about 3 in 5 councils require one.
- Policy last updated: before 2022, by Carmarthenshire's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Carmarthenshire grant?
5 new, 19 renewed; 29 in force (31 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Carmarthenshire?
29 at 1 April 2026, 31 at 1 April 2024 (DfT).
Sources
Fees and rules change. Each source is the official page we read, with the date we read it; check it before you apply or pay.
- [1] DfT taxi and private hire vehicle statistics 2026, tables TAXI0104-TAXI0112 (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [2] GOV.UK: Driver licences for taxis and private hire vehicles (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [3] Carmarthenshire County Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
